The project will focus on improving the health, wellness, and economic wellbeing of the UTE mountain UTE tribe through food and agriculture

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe was awarded a $709,056 Project Grant from the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program. The grant will fund four primary programs focused on improving health, wellness and economic well-being for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe through food and agriculture initiatives. This includes developing a new grocery store, native food hall and food entrepreneur incubation/business training program. An agriculture and beginning farmer training program will also be established. Additionally, the grant will support developing a native food supply chain focused on native farmers, ranchers, producers and artisans. The Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program aims to bring together stakeholders across the food system to foster understanding of national food security trends and potential improvements to local food systems, particularly for low-income individuals. The period of performance for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe grant is from September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2024.

The project has 4 primary programs:1 - the development of a new grocery store to serve the umut POPULATION2 - the development of a native food hall and food entrepreneur incubation and business training PROGRAM3 - the development of a new sustainable agriculture and beginning farmer training PROGRAM4 - the development of a native food supply chain, focusing on native farmers, ranchers, producers and artisans